The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents)

The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents) by Elizabeth Verdick and Elizabeth Reeve M.D. is published by Free Spirit Publishing. To promote this book on their site the publisher writes, “One-of-a-kind survival guide helps kids with autism (and their families) understand their unique gifts and needs and learn strategies for daily living.” They go on to say The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents) is a comprehensive resource to help kids with ASD both understand their condition and find tools to cope with the challenges they face every day.

The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism has a kid-friendly format featuring brightly colored text and cartoon drawings. Nick Kobyluch’s entertaining illustrations are perfect for the tweens and teens who will be sharing this book, preferably with an adult who can answer questions as they read along.

Never a dull page or a long section of text to read. The text is broken up with bulleted information, quotes from kids like the target reader, red star busts suggestions to try, “Take a Look” bright yellow sections, “Thinking Clouds”, visual presentation of words on various topics, …

The book has 234 pages that are divided into three parts with 23 chapters. Congratulations to the team that wrote and designed such a fine and much needed guide book for kids with autism spectrum disorders and their parents.

Folks at Special Needs Book Review thank Elizabeth Verdick, mom-author of over thirty books for children, for writing this guest post introducing their book and agreeing to participate in our Author Interview Series.

Guest Post by Elizabeth Verdick

The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents)

Book written by Elizabeth Verdick and Elizabeth Reeve M.D.

Book Description :

The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents) is a friendly, thorough handbook for children on the autism spectrum, plus their parents. This book addresses the big questions kids ask and provides strategies for communicating, making friends, and succeeding in school. It includes sections on brain and body basics, symptom management, exercise, diet, hygiene, relaxation, sleep, toileting, and “stims.” Special emphasis is placed on helping children handle intense emotions, all with the help of their team of caregivers (parents, grandparents, teachers, doctors, therapists, coaches, aides).

The Purpose of the Book:

The book is coauthored by Elizabeth Verdick, a children’s book author who has more than thirty books to her credit, and Dr. Elizabeth Reeve, a child psychiatrist whose clinical work focuses on children and adults with developmental disabilities. Both authors are mothers who have sons on the autism spectrum. The goal of the authors was to speak directly to kids on the spectrum, so they can find the answers to their toughest questions and develop a positive approach to living with ASD. The book was written for kids at various ages and stages…those who have just learned about their diagnosis and those who need help with ongoing challenges such as conversation and social skills.

The Target Audience:

This book is for children ages eight to twelve, along with their parents, relatives, teachers, counselors, therapists, doctors, aides, and caregivers. The book can be read to children younger than eight. Teens are reading it, too!

Excerpts:

“We wrote this book to help you better understand your needs and differences. We hope it will help you with daily issues, such as your feelings, behavior, and communication with other people . . . we have a special place in our hearts for kids who have ASD. Both of us are mothers who have sons on the spectrum.”

“We don’t believe in can’t or never. If you have ASD, there are some differences between you and other people. But your life can be about can.”

Regarding famous young people with autism:

“These young people with ASD have been in the spotlight. That means their stories and voices are being heard. They’re part of the autism community, like you are. Each day, that community gets a little bigger and a lot stronger. Your voice—your words and thoughts—are important, too.”

“At times, you might feel like a ‘label’ because you have ASD. You might think you are your symptoms or your challenges. You are so much more than both!”

About the Authors:

Elizabeth Verdick writes from the perspective of a mother with a child on the spectrum. Advocating for her son since he was two years old has been one of the greatest learning experiences in her life. Along the way, she has worked with doctors, behavioral therapists, teachers, school counselors, and speech, occupational, and physical therapists to help her son. She is the author of many books for children, from toddlers to teens. You can learn more about her at her web site.
Read our Interview with Elizabeth Verdick.

Dr. Elizabeth Reeve is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and has worked with children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum for more than twenty years. She is the mother of a young man with autism. As a parent and a physician, she experiences the day-to-day challenges of ASD at home and at work.

Lorna d’Entremont: Co-owner of SentioLife Solutions, Ltd. the company behind KidCompanions Chewelry (2007) and SentioCHEWS (2013), mother of three, grandma of 5 and wife. She is a retired teacher and special needs advocate. Throughout she has taught all levels from grade 2 to grade 9. Lorna loved teaching and enjoyed seeing the students progress in the school system. During her 30 year career she took a few years off to raise her three children.